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Does anybody know of a single location where the pieces from book one have been recorded on video? I'm finding separate recordings but they are all over the net, but mainly youtube, I was hoping that there was a single location I could frequent and compare my learning to others' examples.

First off, I am so flattered you wanted to hear my version, thank you so much! I had been working on this piece a few weeks back. But we have had a rough six weeks (family illness, elderly ones), and I have not had the time to focus as much as I would have liked. I plan to get back to uploading soon.

Because I learn after you, I often visit your box channel to listen to your version. I think you play better than other version in youtube. I am using Afred All-Time Favorites and Greatest Hits, so if you done any piece in these books, please upload. Thank you

I need some help. Can you listen to the two recordings below and tell me which one sounds better. I am not talking about the piano playing (although those comments are always welcome). I am trying to get a handle on the quality of the audio. Both recordings are the same; one is unprocessed and one has been processed using Mixcraft. Getting a good quality audio remains my white whale.

mattroilanh_tt and earlofmar, Thank you so much for the listen. This morning I listened to both versions again and I could not tell the difference also. But yesterday it was very clear to me. Most likely my ears are playing tricks. I have to let this issue go and just play. Thank you again!

PianoStudent88, thanks for the input as your advice helped me over come not only this hurdle, but approach my lessons in a different light which really never occurred to me. As you pointed out what might work for some may not work for others. I spoke with my instructor about this and she agreed what fingering might work well for her delicate petite finger may not suite my sausages so with that in mind I do my best to follow Alfred's instructions and only alter when all else fails. In the end I slowly persevered and now play it as written.

On Top of Old SmokyThe hard part was keeping steady time. Also, transitioning off the pedal gave me some trouble. This piece is simple, but making it sound good is a bit more difficult than it looks. I really want to get better at pedaling.

The entire time, this is what I am singing:On top of spaghetti,All covered with cheese,I lost my poor meatball,When somebody sneezed.

It rolled off the table,And on to the floor,And then my poor meatball,Rolled out of the door.

The Can-CanThis took some time, but came alot quicker than I thought it would take. My left hand needs to be stronger, tempo-wise. But this was a decent recording so I went with it.

The Marines' HymnThis one was fun to play. Right now, I play it to warm up my fingers.

Nice playing scorpio, I also took a long time with the Can Can although a different version to your one. I actually worked away at it constantly to play it in different scales and then get it a bit faster. It is a useful little exercise tune

Your left hand rhythm sounded just right in the recording but I think I know what you mean. You want to feel the hand is stronger, that you have more control like you have with your dominant right hand? I have been using the following five finger scales with some success

Thank you but my version is far from perfect. I really hesitate to give any feedback, I am a new learner just like you. I am trying to figure this all out too. What happens is that I am just emulating the DVD that I have.

I've been teaching myself from the Alfred Basic Adult lesson book for a couple months. I decided to give the full All-in-one book a try to see what I've been missing. The lesson book appears to just be some of the sections literally copied from the All-in-one. The full book explains some of the lessons better, and it's fun to write the chords and such right into the book.

I was almost complete with lesson book 1, but I started over with this new book. I grabbed book 2 and 3 while I was at it. These books are definitely right style for me to learn on my own.

PS: the Alfred Masterworks song books are great for extra songs to master.

I'm curious how fast other people progressed through this book. I find that I can fully a learn a new piece to my satisfaction within a day or two. I played the trumpet in my school band class for three years, so I knew how to read music, but I am not sure it even helped that much in regard to piano. I haven't had any formal lessons yet, but I plan to in June.

I play for an hour or so a day, total. I usually do 30-60 minutes early in the day, and another 30-60 at night. I am moving linearly through the book, "mastering" each piece before moving on. Mastering, in this regard, means being able to play it from start to finish with no major errors at the requested tempo and loudness.

For example, "blow the man down" seems to be one that gives many people trouble. I reached this piece yesterday with some trepidation. It was actually rather daunting and frustrating at first. However, I was able to play it to satisfaction by this morning's session.

That is one thing I really enjoy about this book. Each new major piece presented always appears "impossible" at first, and has a steep learning curve. They all present a feeling of satisfaction when "mastered", both in regard to the feeling of accomplishment and having learned new techniques, chords, etc.

I've been having a lot of fun, and I feel I owe this Alfred series some thanks for that. Prior, I had tinkered a bit with a few other level 1-2 books my girlfriend had stored in the basement. She just happened to have the Alfred basic adult level 1 book, and it was this book that really piqued my interest. If it weren't for this book, I'd still be playing bland kids music now and then, leaving the piano to my daughter (for whom it was originally purchased). Instead, I am delving deep into the hobby, playing for hours a day, and awaiting the delivery of my new Clavinova.

I also want to thank the people in this topic who recommended the Alfred Greatest Hits books. I browsed through them, and they seemed interesting, so I ordered the set. I didn't look into them much at first because I had browsed their other series, "all time favorites", and it looked like it overlapped too much with the music I already have.